Will not probe only financial fraud, says Shunglu (Lead)

By Suhas Munshi New Delhi, Oct 26 (IANS) V.K. Shunglu, head of the committee probing financial irregularities in the Commonwealth Games, Tuesday said that misappropriation of funds will not be the only focus of his probe.

“Misappropriation of funds is not the only charge in the purview of our probe. Not that these charges are by any measure unimportant, but the probe is about other issues as well,” Shunglu told IANS over telephone.

A former comptroller and auditor general (CAG) of India, Shunglu was appointed to head the probe committee Oct 15, a day after the Commonwealth Games ended.

Shantanu Consul, secretary in the Department of Personnel and Training, was named the panel’s second member Monday. He is expected to join the committee next week after his retirement Oct 31.

Shunglu said that he was busy understanding the exhaustive terms of reference of the commission issued by the government Monday.

“I am busy studying the government directives at the moment. This will keep me busy at least for the next couple of days,” he said.

He said the “success of the probe will depend on our (committee’s) team work”.

The terms of reference have mandated the committee to fix responsibility of the main actors, political as well as those holding positions in the Games Organising Committee, for alleged corruption and mismanagement.

The Shunglu Committee has been asked to examine weaknesses in management, alleged misappropriation, irregularities, wasteful expenditure and wrongdoing in the conduct of the Oct 3-14 Games and also to recommend action, a statement said.

The statement clarified that various agencies like the CAG and the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) would independently carry out their audit and investigation in accordance with their respective mandates on the Commonwealth Games.

Meanwhile, the Shunglu panel is expected to move into its office in Vigyan Bhawan complex here Wednesday, an official said.

“All the preliminary arrangements have been made. Security personnel inspected the office on Sunday. Shunglu himself reviewed his office arrangements Tuesday,” the official told IANS.

“We are giving final touches to the office. We expect it to be ready by Wednesday,” he added.